Beautiful day. Divine service in Boston and Quincy. Evening at home.

Louisa is improving and appears almost well. I can hardly credit it even when I have every reason to be so grateful. My father and Wife went to hear Dr. Channing in the morning, but I attended as usual at Dr. Frothingham’s and heard a very simple youth by name Parker1 preach from Matthew 22. 37.39. “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul and with all thy mind, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” Upon this was built a discourse upon the connexion of morality with religion.

Immediately after the service, we went to Quincy. My father, my boy John and myself. Reached there in time for dinner and attended worship in the afternoon. Mr. Lunt preached from Luke 6. 31. “As ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.” A very good Sermon. He considered first the doctrine of pure selfishness next that of justice, and how superior this was to either. Mr. Lunt is certainly a good preacher but I learn that dissatisfaction with him is creeping into the parish. It is not possible to tell what popularity is. I cannot define it, and do not enjoy it any more than he. There are some men who are not made for it. His talent goes for nothing in the want of it and so does mine.

Returned to Boston and read a discourse of Dr. Holland from Proverbs 22. 6. “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Upon the necessity of education, sound but commonplace. Evening Mr. and Mrs. Minot called to see us.

Fine day. Morning to Hingham. Afternoon at home. Evening, at Govr. Everett’s.

Last year when my Wife and I went to Washington, taking Louisa with us, and leaving John at home, I promised him a trip in a Steamboat somewhere. This promise it has not been convenient to perform until now when I took him with me to Hingham and back in the General Lincoln. The day was fine although rather windy and I enjoyed his first emotions at so remarkable a sight.

We got home to dinner and I felt so much fatigued as to be very glad to sit quiet in my study and read Mr. Quin’s Pamphlet, History of the Bank of England.1 There is much information to be gained from it although somewhat long and dry.

Evening at Governor Everett’s. The family and on the whole rather a pleasant party. Home tired.